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At least 415 records · Page 23

Common femtoscopic hadron-emission source in pp collisions at the LHC

The femtoscopic study of pairs of identical pions is particularly suited to investigate the effective source function of particle emission, due to the resulting Bose–Einstein correlation signal. In small collision systems at the LHC, pp in particular, the majority of the pions are produced in resonance decays, which significantly affect the profile and size of the source. In this work, we explicitly model this effect in order to extract the primordial source in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV from charged π–π correlations measured by ALICE. We demonstrate that the assumption of a Gaussian primordial source is compatible with the data and that the effective source, resulting from modifications due to resonances, is approximately exponential, as found in previous measurements at the LHC. The universality of hadron emission in pp collisions is further investigated by applying the same methodology to characterize the primordial source of K–p pairs. The size of the primordial source is evaluated as a function of the transverse mass (m T ) of the pairs, leading to the observation of a common scaling for both π–π and K–p, suggesting a collective effect. Further, the present results are compatible with the m T scaling of the p–p and p–Λ primordial source measured by ALICE in high multiplicity pp collisions, providing additional evidence for the presence of a common emission source for all hadrons in small collision systems at the LHC. This will allow the determination of the source function for any hadron–hadron pairs with high precision, granting access to the properties of the possible final-state interaction among pairs of less abundantly produced hadrons, such as strange or charmed particles.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Galaxy bispectrum in the spherical Fourier-Bessel basis

The bispectrum, the three-point correlation in Fourier space, is a crucial statistic for studying many effects targeted by the next-generation galaxy surveys, such as primordial non-Gaussianity (PNG) and general relativistic (GR) effects on large scales. In this work we develop a formalism for the bispectrum in the spherical Fourier-Bessel (SFB) basis—a natural basis for computing correlation functions on the curved sky, as it diagonalizes the Laplacian operator in spherical coordinates. Working in the SFB basis allows for line-of-sight effects such as redshift space distortions and GR to be accounted for exactly, i.e., without having to resort to perturbative expansions to go beyond the plane-parallel approximation. Only analytic results for the SFB bispectrum exist in the literature given the intensive computations needed. We numerically calculate the SFB bispectrum for the first time, enabled by a few techniques: We implement a template decomposition of the redshift-space kernel Z 2 into Legendre polynomials, and separately treat the PNG and velocity-divergence terms. We derive an identity to integrate a product of three spherical harmonics connected by a Dirac delta function as a simple sum and use it to investigate the limit of a homogeneous and isotropic Universe. Furthermore, we present a formalism for convolving the signal with separable window functions and use a toy spherically symmetric window to demonstrate the computation and give insights into the properties of the observed bispectrum signal. While our implementation remains computationally challenging, it is a step toward a feasible full extraction of information on large scales via a SFB bispectrum analysis.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Prediction of s ± -Wave Superconductivity Enhanced by Electronic Doping in Trilayer Nickelates La 4 Ni 3 O 10 under Pressure

Motivated by the recently reported signatures of superconductivity in trilayer La 4 ⁢Ni 3 ⁢O 10 under pressure, here we comprehensively study this system using ab initio and random-phase approximation techniques. Without electronic interactions, the Ni d 3z 2 –r 2 orbitals show a bonding-antibonding and nonbonding splitting behavior via the O p z orbitals inducing a “trimer” lattice in La 4⁢ Ni 3 ⁢O 10 , analogous to the dimers of La 3 ⁢Ni 2 ⁢O 7 . The Fermi surface consists of three electron sheets with mixed e g orbitals, and a hole and an electron pocket made up of the d 3⁢z 2 –r 2 orbital, suggesting a Ni two-orbital minimum model. In addition, we find that superconducting pairing is induced in the s ± -wave channel due to partial nesting between the M = (π,π) centered pockets and portions of the Fermi surface centered at the Γ = (0,0) point. With changing electronic density n, the s ± instability remains leading and its pairing strength shows a domelike behavior with a maximum around n = 4.2 ( ~6.7% electron doping). The superconducting instability disappears at the same electronic density as that in the new 1313 stacking La 3 ⁢Ni 2 ⁢O 7 , correlated with the vanishing of the hole pocket that arises from the trilayer sublattice, suggesting that the high-T c superconductivity of La 3⁢ Ni 2 ⁢O 7 does not originate from a trilayer and monolayer structure. Furthermore, we confirm the experimentally proposed spin state in La 4 ⁢Ni 3 ⁢O 10 with an in-plane (π, π) order and antiferromagnetic coupling between the top and bottom Ni layers, and spin zero in the middle layer.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Numerical analysis of a time discretized method for nonlinear filtering problem with Lévy process observations

Abstract In this paper, we consider a nonlinear filtering model with observations driven by correlated Wiener processes and point processes. We first derive a Zakai equation whose solution is an unnormalized probability density function of the filter solution. Then, we apply a splitting-up technique to decompose the Zakai equation into three stochastic differential equations, based on which we construct a splitting-up approximate solution and prove its half-order convergence. Furthermore, we apply a finite difference method to construct a time semi-discrete approximate solution to the splitting-up system and prove its half-order convergence to the exact solution of the Zakai equation. Finally, we present some numerical experiments to demonstrate the theoretical analysis.

Mathematics↗

Ultra-Confined Environments May Restrict the Possible Configurations of Supported Metal Complexes

Here, the rotation frequencies of amido ligands are highly sensitive to the electronic structure of d 0 transition metal complexes and have been used to study ligand donor properties. While attempting to study the donor properties of silanolate ligands in a silica-supported Cr complex, we observed highly restricted motions due to the added steric hindrance from the support, with only approximately half of the amides rotating on a 50 ms time scale. Surprisingly, when the same species is grafted into narrow 2.2 nm pores, all amido ligands are able to rotate. Density functional theory calculations suggest that confinement may limit the possible coordination sites and the configuration of the formed surface species, potentially enabling the formation of conformationally homogeneous surface site populations.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Temperature Evolution of the Activation Barriers Leads to Meyer−Neldel Rules for Structural Relaxation and Transport in Polymers

Understanding activation barriers controlling structural relaxation in glass-forming liquids, molecular transport, and ionic conductivity in amorphous polymers is a grand challenge of fundamental scientific and materials engineering interest across disciplines. Over decades, intriguing but puzzling empirical correlations between the elementary time scale of activated barrier crossing and the apparent Arrhenius activation energy, the so-called Meyer−Neldel (MN) rules, have been discovered in diverse liquids and glasses. Here, in this study, we formulate and successfully apply a new experimental analysis and an explicitly dynamical theoretical framework which provides an understanding of the origin, validity, and failure of such correlations, that bridge and unify the three fields of structural relaxation, molecular transport, and ionic conductivity in liquids and quenched glasses. Distinct quasi-universal laws are predicted in equilibrated liquids and nonequilibrium glasses, consistent with experiments. Our analysis reveals that even if the relaxation appears Arrhenius over a limited temperature range, the physical activation barrier is generally temperature-dependent in polymeric systems even below glass transition temperature. In addition, we show that the approximate validity of classical MN rules hinges on a linear temperature dependence of this barrier and the temperature range probed in experiments. Our findings are relevant for controlling the activation barrier in functional soft polymeric materials relevant to molecular separations, barrier coatings, and charge transport, and also provide new constraints on the theoretical understanding of the mechanism underlying slow activated dynamics in glass-forming condensed matter.

Meyer-Neldel rules↗

Physics-guided dual implicit neural representations for source separation

Significant challenges exist in efficient data analysis of most advanced experimental and observational techniques because the collected signals often include unwanted contributions, such as background and signal distortions, that can obscure the physically relevant information of interest. To address this, we have developed a self-supervised machine-learning approach for source separation using a dual implicit neural representation framework that jointly trains two neural networks: one for approximating distortions of the physical signal of interest and the other for learning the effective background contribution. Our method learns directly from the raw data by minimizing a reconstruction-based loss function without requiring labeled data or pre-defined dictionaries. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our framework by considering a challenging case study involving large-scale simulated, as well as experimental, momentum-energy-dependent inelastic neutron scattering data in a four-dimensional parameter space, characterized by heterogeneous background contributions and unknown distortions to the target signal. The method is found to successfully separate physically meaningful signals from a complex or structured background even when the signal characteristics vary across all four dimensions of the parameter space. An analytical approach that informs the choice of the regularization parameter is presented. Our method offers a versatile framework for addressing source separation problems across diverse domains, ranging from superimposed signals in astronomical measurements to structural features in biomedical image reconstructions.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Quantum real-time evolution of entanglement and hadronization in jet production: Lessons from the massive Schwinger model

The possible link between entanglement and thermalization, and the dynamics of hadronization are addressed by studying the real-time response of the massive Schwinger model coupled to external sources. This setup mimics the production and fragmentation of quark jets, as the Schwinger model and quantum chromodynamics (QCD) share the properties of confinement and chiral symmetry breaking. By using simulations of quantum dynamics on classical hardware, we study the entanglement between the produced jets, and observe the growth of the corresponding entanglement entropy in time. This growth arises from the increased number of contributing eigenstates of the reduced density matrix with sufficiently large and close eigenvalues. We also investigate the physical nature of these eigenstates, and find that at early times they correspond to fermionic Fock states. We then observe the transition from these fermionic Fock states to mesonlike bound states as a function of time. In other words, we observe how hadronization develops in real time. At late times, the local observables at midrapidity (such as the fermion density and the electric field) approach approximately constant values, suggesting the onset of equilibrium and approach to thermalization. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

From Structure to Function: Zn/Mn-Modified Maghemite as an Advanced Nanoplatform for Magnetic Hyperthermia and Radionuclide Therapy

The development of nanoplatforms capable of efficient heat generation and stable radionuclide delivery is essential for effective bimodal cancer therapy. Here, in this study, binary (Fe–M) and ternary (Fe–M–M′) metal oxide nanoparticles were synthesized via a polyol method optimized to produce flower-like γ-Fe 2 O 3 (maghemite) structures, with M and M′ representing Zn and/or Mn. Comprehensive structural and magnetic characterization was conducted to explain the relationship between composition, defect structure, and hyperthermic performance. The analyses revealed that cation substitution induced an Fe-site vacancy, primarily at octahedral positions, leading to local structural distortions, as confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction and pair distribution function analysis. The optimized composition, with Zn/Mn/Fe = 0.040:0.182:1, exhibited the highest concentration of vacancies and structural disorder. These vacancies altered the bonding environment, enhancing magnetic interactions at tetrahedral sites while weakening those at the octahedral positions. The resulting multicore nanoflowers (20–63 nm; core size 13–18 nm) displayed strong heating performance, with intrinsic loss power ranging from 0.34 to 5.77 nHm 2 kg –1 . The optimized sample achieved a temperature increase of 30 °C within 2 min and a specific absorption rate of 369 W g –1 . This composition was further coated with citrate (CA) and successfully radiolabeled with 177 Lu, achieving a radiolabeling yield of 92.7% and excellent stability, thus forming a robust nanoplatform for combined magnetic hyperthermia and radionuclide therapy. Biological evaluation of the optimized S5 composition revealed selective cytotoxicity toward HeLa and LS174 cells, while toxicity was significantly lower to A549, A375, and normal MRC-5 cells. Citrate coating of S5 nanoparticles (S5@CA) drastically reduced their cytotoxicity across all tested cell lines (IC 50 > 200 μg mL –1 ), confirming their enhanced biocompatibility for therapeutic applications. In HeLa cells subjected to magnetic hyperthermia, the viability decreased to approximately 84% after 30 min and 61% after 60 min of treatment, demonstrating the sustained hyperthermic effect at a controlled working temperature of 48 °C. These results underscore the effectiveness of cation substitution and vacancy engineering in tailoring the functional properties of maghemite-based nanomaterials for advanced multimodal cancer therapies.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Tests of the DFT Ladder for the Fulminic Acid Challenge

Properties of the historically pivotal fulminic acid (HCNO) molecule have been computed with a panoply of 473 density functionals of all varieties, providing a snapshot of the performance of contemporary density functional theory (DFT) for a challenging chemical system. Exhaustive tabulations and statistical analyses have been carried out for geometric parameters, vibrational frequencies, barriers to linearity, and the HCN–O dissociation energy. As the DFT ladder is climbed, confusion rather than consensus ensues regarding the details of the distinctive, extremely flat H–C–N bending potential of fulminic acid and whether the equilibrium structure is linear or bent. While high-ranking DFT functionals produce the smallest errors for the HCN + O( 3 P) → HCNO reaction energy, lower rungs emerge as the best performers for many of the bond distances and harmonic vibrational frequencies. This research shows that the current DFT zoo of approximations does not constitute a transparent ladder of increasingly accurate methods that consistently converges on definitive predictions for various properties of HCNO. Additional analyses are performed on the side effects of popular dispersion corrections on the covalently bonded properties and thermochemistry of HCNO.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Machine Learning a Simple Interpretable Short-Range Potential for Silica

A wide array of models, spanning from computationally expensive ab initio methods to a spectrum of force-field approaches, have been developed and employed to probe silica polymorphs and understand growth processes and atomic-level dynamical transitions in silica. However, the quest for a model capable of making accurate predictions with high computational efficiency for various silica polymorphs is still ongoing. Recent developments in short-range machine-learned models, such as GAP and NNPScan, have shown promise in providing reasonable descriptions of silica, but their computational cost remains high compared to force fields such as BKS which are based on simple interpretable functional forms. Here, in this study, we build on the recent success of our reinforcement learning (RL) workflow to derive a new set of optimal parameters for a promising short-range BKS-based model proposed by Soules. We use RL to navigate the eight-dimensional parameter space of the Soules potential using an experimental training data set that includes both local and global structural features from approximately 21 experimentally realized silica polymorphs, including high density phases and porous zeolites. We compare the performance of our machine-learned ML-Soules model with other high quality models including our recent machine-learned parametrization of BKS (ML-BKS), a machine-learned potential (GAP), as well as predictions of ab initio calculations with the highly fidelity SCAN functional. The ML-Soules accurately captures the relative energetic ordering of various polymorphs as well as their structural features at a significantly reduced computational expense. The ML-Soules model also reasonably captures the structure, density, and elastic constants of quartz, as well as metastable silica polymorphs. We further discuss the limitations of the Soules functional form and propose potential enhancements, including the incorporation of additional three-body terms and/or the utilization of different short-ranged functional forms to achieve greater accuracy for both global and local features in the modeling of silica while retaining low computational cost.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

A gene desert required for regulatory control of pleiotropic Shox2 expression and embryonic survival

Approximately a quarter of the human genome consists of gene deserts, large regions devoid of genes often located adjacent to developmental genes and thought to contribute to their regulation. However, defining the regulatory functions embedded within these deserts is challenging due to their large size. Here, we explore the cis-regulatory architecture of a gene desert flanking the Shox2 gene, which encodes a transcription factor indispensable for proximal limb, craniofacial, and cardiac pacemaker development. We identify the gene desert as a regulatory hub containing more than 15 distinct enhancers recapitulating anatomical subdomains of Shox2 expression. Ablation of the gene desert leads to embryonic lethality due to Shox2 depletion in the cardiac sinus venosus, caused in part by the loss of a specific distal enhancer. The gene desert is also required for stylopod morphogenesis, mediated via distributed proximal limb enhancers. In summary, our study establishes a multi-layered role of the Shox2 gene desert in orchestrating pleiotropic developmental expression through modular arrangement and coordinated dynamics of tissue-specific enhancers.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Benchmarking machine learning interatomic potentials via phonon anharmonicity

Abstract Machine learning approaches have recently emerged as powerful tools to probe structure-property relationships in crystals and molecules. Specifically, machine learning interatomic potentials (MLIPs) can accurately reproduce first-principles data at a cost similar to that of conventional interatomic potential approaches. While MLIPs have been extensively tested across various classes of materials and molecules, a clear characterization of the anharmonic terms encoded in the MLIPs is lacking. Here, we benchmark popular MLIPs using the anharmonic vibrational Hamiltonian of ThO 2 in the fluorite crystal structure, which was constructed from density functional theory (DFT) using our highly accurate and efficient irreducible derivative methods. The anharmonic Hamiltonian was used to generate molecular dynamics (MD) trajectories, which were used to train three classes of MLIPs: Gaussian approximation potentials, artificial neural networks (ANN), and graph neural networks (GNN). The results were assessed by directly comparing phonons and their interactions, as well as phonon linewidths, phonon lineshifts, and thermal conductivity. The models were also trained on a DFT MD dataset, demonstrating good agreement up to fifth-order for the ANN and GNN. Our analysis demonstrates that MLIPs have great potential for accurately characterizing anharmonicity in materials systems at a fraction of the cost of conventional first principles-based approaches.

interatomic potentials↗

𝐵 → 𝜌⁢ℓ⁢$\bar{v}$ Resonance Form Factors from 𝐵→ 𝜋⁢𝜋⁢ℓ⁢$\bar{v}$ in Lattice QCD

The decay 𝐵 → 𝜌⁢ℓ⁢$\bar{v}$ is an attractive process for determining the magnitude of the smallest Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix element, |𝑉 𝑢⁢𝑏 |, and can provide new insights into the origin of the long-standing exclusive-inclusive discrepancy in determinations of this standard-model parameter. This requires a nonperturbative QCD calculation of the 𝐵 → 𝜌 form factors 𝑉, 𝐴 0 , 𝐴 1 , and 𝐴 12 . The unstable nature of the 𝜌 resonance has prevented precise lattice QCD calculations of these form factors to date. Here, we present the first lattice QCD calculation of the 𝐵 → 𝜌 form factors in which the 𝜌 is treated properly as a resonance in 𝑃-wave 𝜋⁢𝜋 scattering. To this end, we use the Lellouch-Lüscher finite-volume formalism to compute the 𝐵 → 𝜋⁢𝜋 form factors as a function of both momentum transfer and 𝜋⁢𝜋 invariant mass, and then analytically continue to the 𝜌 resonance pole. This calculation is performed with 2 + 1 dynamical quark flavors at a pion mass of approximately 320 MeV, and demonstrates a clear path toward results at the physical point.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Tensor network simulations of quasi-GPDs in the massive Schwinger model

Generalized parton distribution functions (GPDs) are off-diagonal light-cone matrix elements that encode the internal structure of hadrons in terms of quark and gluon degrees of freedom. In this work, we present the first nonperturbative study of quasi-GPDs in the massive Schwinger model, quantum electrodynamics in 1+1 dimensions (QED 2 ), within the Hamiltonian formulation of lattice field theory. Quasidistributions are spatial correlation functions of boosted states, which approach the relevant light-cone distributions in the luminal limit. Using tensor networks, we prepare the first excited state in the strongly coupled regime and boost it to close to the light-cone on lattices of up to 400 lattice sites. We compute both quasiparton distribution functions and, for the first time, quasi-GPDs, and study their convergence for increasingly boosted states. In addition, we perform analytic calculations of GPDs in the two-particle Fock-space approximation and in the Reggeized limit, providing qualitative benchmarks for the tensor network results. Our analysis establishes computational benchmarks for accessing partonic observables in low-dimensional gauge theories, offering a starting point for future extensions to higher dimensions, non-Abelian theories, and quantum simulations.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Measurements of excitation functions and photoneutron cross sections of 96,98,99,104 Ru and 100 Mo

Photoneutron cross sections were extracted for isotopes of ruthenium and molybdenum on natural abundance targets via a reduced chi-squared analysis on excitation functions, or activation yields, as function of electron beam energy. Bremsstrahlung photons were produced via an electron linear accelerator and a tungsten radiator at the Idaho Accelerator Center. A total of 16 irradiations were performed with electron beam energies ranging from approximately 8 MeV to 23 MeV. Induced radioactivity was measured using a high purity germanium detector. The cross sections were extracted assuming a three parameter Lorentzian fit with a smooth truncated rise at reaction threshold.

07 - ISOTOPES AND RADIATION SOURCES↗

2025 ASMS Investigation of the Collision-Induced Dissociation Mechanism of Protonated TODGA with IRIS

Title (20 words): Investigation of the Collision-Induced Dissociation Mechanism of Protonated TODGA with IRIS Introduction (120 words): One of the challenges facing wide-spread adoption of nuclear power is the development of efficient separation processes for used nuclear fuel. The molecules in separation processes are subjected to an extreme environment due to the high radiation fields from the used fuel and highly acidic media used for fuel dissolution, which results in significant molecular degradation, leading to reduced process efficiency. These degradation products must be identified and studied so mitigation strategies can be developed to maintain process efficiency. However, complex systems can have many degradation products, complicating identification. Untargeted analysis tools could be used to understand radiation chemistry in complex systems. However, this would necessitate improved understanding of the gas-phase fragmentation mechanisms of fuel cycle molecules like tetraoctyldiglycolamide (TODGA). Methods (120 words): The gas-phase fragmentation of protonated TODGA was investigated using collision-induced dissociation (CID), resonance ejection, and infrared ion spectroscopy (IRIS). CID and resonance ejection experiments were conducted using a Bruker Daltonics (Bremen, Gemany) SolariX XR fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) mass spectrometer. IRIS spectra of protonated TODGA and its two CID fragmentation products were measured using a modified Bruker amaZon Speed ETD 3D quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer coupled to the Free Electron Lasers for Infrared eXperiments (FELIX) free electron laser. Measured spectra were compared with density functional theory (DFT) calculations using the Gaussian 16, Revision C.02 software package with the ?B97X-D functional and def2-TZVPP basis sets. Candidate structures were generated using the CREST 3.0 conformational sampling software tool. Preliminary Data (300 words): Collision-induced dissociation of protonated TODGA ([C36H73N2O3]+, m/z=581.562) results two fragment ions, one at m/z=340.285 assigned as [C20H38NO3]+ and the other at m/z=312.290, assigned as [C19H38NO2]+. Based on the assigned formula and the structure of protonated TODGA, the fragment at m/z=340.285 is likely formed from elimination of neutral dioctylamine. Comparison of the IRIS spectrum of m/z=340.285 with DFT predictions suggests it contains a ring structure, and is assigned as N-octyl-N-(6-oxo-1,4-dioxan-2-ylidene)octan-1-aminium. Based on this structure and the structure of protonated TODGA, we hypothesize this fragment formed from elimination of neutral dioctylamine followed by a ring closure mechanism. Comparison of the IRIS spectrum of the fragment at m/z=312.290 with DFT predictions also indicated the presence of a ring structure, assigned as N-(1,3-dioxolan-4-ylidene)-N-octyloctan-1-aminium. This product could be formed from elimination of carbon monoxide from the ring of m/z=340.285 as a sequential fragmentation or formed directly from protonated TODGA via elimination of neutral N,N-dioctylformamide followed by a ring closure. Resonance ejection experiments where m/z=340 was continuously ejected from the IRC cell showed no decrease in intensity of m/z=312.290 across several collision energies, suggesting that the later, direct formation mechanism, dominates. The location of the ionizing proton in protonated TODGA is important for modeling the fragmentation mechanisms. DFT calculations suggested that the position of bands involving the coupled vibrations of the amide C—N and C=O bonds in TODGA are the most sensitive to proton location. Evaluation of the IRIS spectrum of protonated TODGA suggests that the ionizing proton is located between the two amid oxygens. This protonation location was calculated to lie approximately 30 kJ/mol lower in energy than the next lowest energy location, with the proton located solely on one of the amide oxygens. Novel aspect (20 words): Infrared ion spectroscopy combined with resonance ejection experiments and density functional theory to probe the collision-induced dissociation mechanism of tetraoctyldiglycolamide.

37 - INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL C↗

Importance of Electron Correlation on the Geometry and Electronic Structure of [2Fe–2S] Systems: A Benchmark Study of the [Fe 2 S 2 (SCH 3 ) 4 ] 2–,3–,4– , [Fe 2 S 2 (SCys) 4 ] 2– , [Fe 2 S 2 (S- p -tol) 4 ] 2– , and [Fe 2 S 2 (S- o -xyl) 4 ] 2– Complexes

Iron–sulfur clusters are crucial for biological electron transport and catalysis. Obtaining accurate geometries, energetics, manifolds of their excited electronic states, and reduction energies is important to understand their role in these processes. Here, using a [2Fe–2S] model complex with Fe II and Fe III oxidation states, which leads to different charges, i.e., [Fe 2 S 2 (SMe) 4 ] 2–,3–,4– , we benchmarked a variety of computational methodologies ranging from density functional theory (DFT) to post-Hartree–Fock methods, including complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF), multireference configuration interaction, the second-order N-electron valence state perturbation theory (NEVPT2), and the linearized integrand approximation of adiabatic connection (AC0) approaches. Additionally, we studied three experimentally well-characterized complexes, [Fe 2 S 2 (SCys) 4 ] 2– , [Fe 2 S 2 (S-o-tol) 4 ] 2– , and [Fe 2 S 2 (S-o-xyl) 4 ] 2– , via DFT methods. We conclude that the dynamic electron correlation is important for accurately predicting the geometry of these complexes. Broken symmetry (BS) DFT correctly predicts experimental geometries of low-spin multiplicity, while CASSCF does not. However, BS-DFT significantly overestimates the difference between the low- and high-spin electronic states for a given oxidation state. At the same time, CASSCF underestimates it but provides relative energies closer to the reference NEVPT2 results. Finally, AC0 provides energetics of NEVPT2 quality with the additional advantage of being able to use large CASSCF sizes. NEVPT2 gives the best estimates of the Fe III /Fe III → Fe II /Fe III (4.27 eV) and Fe II /F III → Fe II /F II (7.72 eV) reduction energies. The results provide insight into the electronic structure of these complexes and assist in the understanding of their physical properties.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗